Shaun Wade
FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2019, file photo, Oregon offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) looks on as Oregon plays Auburn in an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. The last NFL event not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic was the 2020 combine in Indianapolis. A year later, with the 2021 combine canceled, the league has released a list of players who would have merited invitations. From such high-profile quarterbacks as Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields to guys who sat out last season such as Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, there are 323 players from 100 schools. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Despite no combine, NFL releases list of who merited invites

By Barry Wilner Mar. 03, 2021 04:47 PM EST

FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. After the announcements of quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Shaun Wade and other early departures trickled out via social media after the loss to Alabama in the national championship game, the Buckeyes got a huge “stay” in Chris Olave, last season’s leading receiver who as a junior was draft eligible. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Day encouraged by returning players who put off NFL dreams

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 22, 2021 01:52 PM EST

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 3 Buckeyes have something to prove in Big Ten title game

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 15, 2020 04:54 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez warms up before an NCAA college football game against Iowa in Lincoln, Neb., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Martinez turned back a challenge from Luke McCaffrey to win the starting quarterback's job for Nebraska's opener at No. 5 Ohio State, coach Scott Frost announced Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Finally! No. 5 Ohio State opens against rebuilding Nebraska

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 22, 2020 12:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal in Glendale, Ariz. When Fields got together with some of his teammates last Saturday to watch college football on TV, the mood was dark. “Distraught,” Fields said. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
'Grateful' - Players celebrate Big Ten's reversal on season

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 18, 2020 06:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Indiana tight end Turon Ivy Jr. (84) and place kicker Nathanael Snyder (99) celebrate with the Old Oaken Bucket following an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season

By Michael Marot Sep. 17, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Parsons was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected who are not slated to play this fall. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Parsons, Sewell among AP preseason All-Americans not playing

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

University of Iowa football players parents protest outside Big Ten headquarters in Rosemont, Ill., Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. Parents of Big Ten football players, upset over the process that led to the postponement of the season until spring, held a protest near the conference's Chicago-area headquarters Friday while an attorney in Nebraska demanded commissioner Kevin Warren turn over material illustrating how the decision was made. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP)
Big Ten parents at protest want details on no-play decision

By Eric Olson Aug. 21, 2020 01:11 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) turns upfield against Auburn during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football gam in Tampa, Fla. Bateman has opted out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the coronavirus, forgoing his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Gophers WR Bateman skips season amid virus worries, goes pro

By Dave Campbell Aug. 04, 2020 10:27 AM EDT